2. Browns Already Feeling Depth Pinch

Losing DT Phil Taylor to a torn pec this spring hurt that effort. Losing veteran strong-side LB Scott Fujita to suspension for three games in the Saints' bounty scandal hurts too.

Losing weak-side LB Chris Gocong for the season to an Achilles injury puts a big question mark on the Browns' ability, once again, to stop the run. A question mark followed by an exclamation point, and perhaps another question mark.

But the thinness at LB combined with the loss of Taylor is concerning, and has many bone-gnawing fans itching for an addition to the unit sometime in August. The Browns have fourth right of refusal on the waiver wire.

3. Weeden and WR Corps Need to Develop Confidence and Chemistry

3 of 3

The Browns look like they could start up to four rookies on offense in 2012 (via Jamison Hensley, ESPN.com). Their first preseason game depth chart shows three: QB Brandon Weeden, RB Trent Richardson and RT Mitchell Schwartz.

So the pins are set up and now this young group has to come in and knock them down.

Confidence and chemistry will come only with time and repetition. The cultivation of it will go a long way toward determining the fate of the 2012 Cleveland Browns season, and ultimately the entire Mike Holmgren-Tom Heckert rebuilding effort itself.